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[Memory loss is no excuse to squander away precious time that can be spent on helping the city after the harsh weather. As such, Roland finds himself at the beach, armed with a plastic bucket, where he works at corralling crabs for their repatriation to the water. He's collected a handful of crabs when he looks up and brightens at the sight of a familiar face in the distance.]

Kaveh!

[This is the first time memories have rushed back to him. He knows this man—remembers him, even. Roland makes briskly for Kaveh, sidestepping some larger crabs on his way.]

Are you here for the crabs as well?

[the way that buzen has been given a camera when he barely knows how to use it. he's fiddling with it, this way and that, and looks up when he sees a familiar face - sort of. it's a distant kind of familiar and yet one that invites him to be friendly regardless.

these memories sure are fickle thing. he raises his hand in a wave]

Kaveh-san! Ah... I'm Buzen! [he points at himself, as if it's appropriate to introduce yourself to your ex..... weird. anyway.]

Say, do you still care a lot about beauty and aesthetics and stuff?

[Crab collecting really isn't something Kaveh would normally be doing with his time, even for a hefty reward. But for whatever reason, probably something related to architecture, Kaveh is out here on the beach--and, well. Not only are these crabs getting in his way, but they're also getting in everyone else's, and they're probably having a bad time too. Imagine being Wizard of Oz tornado'd out of your home! Terrifying!!! And it's not like it's that much effort to help out, right? Right.

Wrong. Crab wrangling is not nearly as easy as it seems, though why Kaveh thought it would be easy is anyone's guess... his own bucket is woefully empty, and he's currently scurrying away from a crab that is incredibly intent on pinching his foot. That's what you get for exposing your ankles, Kaveh.

The sound of his name draws his attention, though--he looks startled to be addressed, which is probably not surprising, given how new he is; or it wouldn't be, if Roland didn't have MEMORY LOSS. But Kaveh doesn't know that yet, so he just awkwardly dances around this Crab With A Vendetta as he calls back.]

Ah, yes. You're... Roland, right? I suppose I ought to say it's nice to meet you, even if it's not technically accurate. [Haha, weird AU memories, amirite?]

[The way I went to look at your AU plotting post and lost my shit all over again

ANYWAY. IT'S BEEN... weird, to say the least. He hasn't been here long, so perhaps it's unfair to judge the adjustment period preemptively--but while Kaveh wouldn't consider himself bad at dealing with sudden, extreme changes, it's usually a skill he applies to his work and little else. Something of this magnitude will take a little time to get a handle on, especially considering the only person he truly "knows" here is Lumine, and he's only met her once.

But it's... fine. It's fine, because what Kaveh is very good at is deflection--projecting the image of someone who has it all together, especially if it means keeping someone else from worrying. And fortunately, even though it's disorienting to have another set of memories in his head, the ones related to Buzen are nice. The sort of nice that he would be afraid of examining too closely, if not for the fact that they come with nothing more than fond nostalgia, which makes them safe.

That means that, when he looks up from his tablet (how did he figure out how to use that so fast?? damn sumerus), he looks surprised, but settles with relative ease.]

Ah--yes, of course. I, er, remember you? That is--well, you understand. [Smooth, Kaveh. But he smiles, putting a hand on his hip.] What a question! Of course I do. I am an architect, after all. [You're STEM, Kaveh, get over it] Why do you ask?

So you're already aware . . .

[Kaveh must be well-connected. Well, of course—as far as Roland can remember, Kaveh is a likable, decent member of society. Roland opens his mouth to voice his apology for the mess he's made of things when he finds himself distracted by the crab with a vendetta, snapping away at Kaveh.]

Is this crab troubling you?

[Whatever Kaveh is about to say in response to this, it's cut off by the crab swooping in, taking advantage of his distraction to pinch his foot.]

Ow!

[That's a yes]

[Oh, no. He rushes over and kneels down. Mercifully, or perhaps ironically, no crab is eager to nip at Roland as he hovers his hands around the one holding onto Kaveh.]

Hold still, friend. We'll see you freed yet.

[The question is, how?]

[ Hi, Kaveh. Guess which bozos got roped off the streets into security detail for some episode shoot... Do they even have the credentials for this? Well, whatever. All they'd been told is to keep the fans from breaking into the set, and so here they are, standing behind metal barriers, as a bunch of people holding flashy signs and photos of their favorite kdrama actors in a bid to get noticed.

... From what, who knows, because the actors are most certainly not around at this time.

And maybe it's because time is crawling and the hearts of kdrama fans are easily swayed, but attention starts shifting over to the very pretty, blonde security guard (who is not even in a security uniform because neither of them are) next to Dokja.

Hm. ]

They're staring at you.

[This is what Kaveh gets for being a reluctant Disney princess.

But he obediently holds still, because even though it HURTS LIKE HELL he is too much of a softie to kick an animal, even one that's trying to slice his foot in two.]

To think my bad luck would carry over to this world...

["This world" . . . ?

No, now isn't the time for that. Roland considers his options before he rises to a stand.]

I fear pulling it away will only hurt you both. Perhaps I can carry you to the waters and see if it releases you on its own.

[Kaveh's done a lot of things on account of his inability to say no to people who need help, but this has got to be one of the weirdest gigs he's ever gotten roped into. It's not like he can't defend himself, but what's he gonna do, swing a claymore at a bunch of fangirls???

So he's just been kind of. Standing awkwardly next to Dokja. And attempting to look like he knows what he's doing. He is, in fact, focusing so hard on looking like he belongs here that he jumps when Dokja talks to him, gaze darting between the fans and his companion.]

What? Why? What did I do? [WHY DOES HE SEEM SO GENUINELY PARANOID]

[Don't worry about it, Roland! It's probably fine, there's definitely nothing wrong with your head.]

Carry?! [HE'LL DIE OF MORTIFICATION even though he's probably like 3 seconds away from bleeding] No, I--it shouldn't get hurt if I walk, right? The water isn't--ow--that far...

[There is a lot wrong with his head. Much as he would prefer to describe it another way, Fukawa made this very clear to him. Perhaps it is because of this wrongness with his head that he fails to grasp the reason for Kaveh's reluctance.]

Are you certain? The distance aside, there are numerous crabs around us.

[However, if Kaveh is truly determined to get moving on his own two feet, Roland won't stop him—only part the way of crabs for him as much as possible.]

[It's okay, Kaveh's logic is terrible. Roland's better off not grasping it tbh.]

It's fine, let's just go quickly.

[It is absolutely not fine, he is in PAIN but he will valiantly begin an awkward hobble-scurry toward the water... he looks so ridiculous that it would have been far less embarrassing than if he'd just agreed to be carried??? WHY DID HE DO THIS.

Also, like Roland pointed out, there are lots of crabs around... and they all seem to be heading Kaveh and Roland's way...]

[Oh . . . That hobble-scurry makes him so sad. At the same time, he respects Kaveh's drive to do what must be done himself. What a man.

Roland follows after Kaveh, during which his gaze is drawn to the ebbing tides ahead. Is it just him, or is the boundless body of water so very fascinating? Struck speechless by the sight, he loses track of his surroundings for a moment—and that's all it takes.]

. . . Look out!

[All but jumping at Kaveh, Roland pushes him out of the way by the shoulder, away from a handful of crabs about to join their friend at his heel.]

[ WHY INDEED? Dokja's startled by the reaction because isn't it obvious??

God, it's so annoying when good-looking people don't know that they're good-looking. Here Dokja is, average as can be, trying to fend off a bunch of fans, and now he has to explain why people obsessed with actors are now shifting focus to poor Kaveh.

He needs to be paid more. ]

I think they just like the way you look.

[Dokja... do you need someone to tell you you're pretty

Unfortunately for Dokja's mood and poor paycheck, Kaveh does, in fact, seem genuinely startled for a moment--but at least he's not totally oblivious. Dokja's answer sinks in, and his expression shifts to embarrassment, but. Well. He dresses like this on purpose, after all; he is projecting the image of a put-together, successful person, so. He brought this on himself, he really doesn't deserve to be so startled by this outcome.]

Oh. [Well. Ahem.] Uh... well, it means they'll probably behave, right...?

[ He'd just think you're making fun of him if you did.

But ah, what an optimistic approach! As if jinxing the situation with those very words, the crowd of fans starts to slowly converge toward where Kaveh and Dokja both stand, more eyes than any human should be comfortable with being directed to the flustered man. And then click goes a camera, and then another, and soon there's a barrage of flashes aimed their way.

Dokja takes a step back, and extends an arm to his companion to suggest he do the same. ]

This is starting to become dangerous...

[DOKJA NO

AND NO x2!!!! NOT HIS BAD LUCK DOING THIS TO THEM. Kaveh doesn't hesitate to follow his suggestion, backing up a few steps. He does it slowly, though, because he gets the feeling that if he scrambles backward, they'll pounce... like rishboland tigers going after weasels... ]

This was not in our employment agreement. [SURELY THEY CAN JUST LEAVE? But then he'd feel guilty for not seeing it through... especially if something happens to the actual people they're supposed to be guarding... WHAT DO THEY DO, DOKJA]

[Roland is killing me. Not Kaveh, me, pixi, specifically

But Kaveh yelps, undignified, and stumbles out of the way as Roland shoves him--just in time, too, as there were multiple crabs right near his heel. He scrambles gracelessly toward the water, giving up on protecting his crab accessory from brain damage. THE CRAB CHOSE THIS BUS RIDE, IT CAN DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.]

Why does this always happen--?!

[ALWAYS???]

[Live, Pixi, live.

The crab has only itself to blame. Its kin, meanwhile, scatter at Roland's thunderous entrance. One valorously hangs back to pinch him on the boot, but its pincers are so small that it fails to break through the leather. It hitches a ride at the side of Roland's foot as he scoops a handful of crabs up with the sand into the bucket he was given for the task, in equal parts to protect themselves and to return the crabs to their home. Then he's back on his feet and chasing after Kaveh.]

Are you unharmed, friend? We're almost there!

[ Kaveh... you kind-hearted soul... Had Dokja been alone (in which case something like this would have not happened), he would have booked it out of there without a second thought. But money's tight and Kaveh's tolerable, so he's not looking to miss out on a payment.

Or watch his blonde-haired pal get eaten alive. ]

Well, maybe we should get you away from here for a bit. Let the crowd cool off.

[ It's an optimistic suggestion. One that becomes useless as soon as the first metal barrier falls to the ground with a loud bang! ]

On second thought, [ Dokja says as he grabs Kaveh's wrist and starts pulling ] we run.

[She was calling this guy for something completely unrelated, but she's been derailed by his answering machine.]

... What'd you just get in the right spot?

[HELP

Well he'll answer her question eventually but first,]

Huh? Hello? Who is this?

[This situation has spiraled so rapidly out of his control which is NOT EVEN UNCOMMON IN HIS LIFE and yet once again he's here going ????WHY THIS, WHY ME???? Kaveh just wants to design palaces and tinker with robots, is that too much to ask out of life!! Is it!!!]

I-- [Well he's not resisting, so if Dokja takes off running he'll be able to successfully yoink Kaveh away tbh] But what about the actors?! [WHO CARES ABOUT THAT, KAVEH.]

inbox; duocaeli

action; 2.1 creb quest

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action, quest: kdrama

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HELPLMFDKSHGKG

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comes for pixi here bc you don't have a toplevel on the log :knife:

LFMSDKGHSKG OPENS MY ARMS TO U

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